TROJ_FAKEAV.RTQ
Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Server 2003
Threat Type: Trojan
Destructiveness: No
Encrypted:
In the wild: Yes
OVERVIEW
This Trojan may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites. It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
It displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
867,856 bytes
EXE
Yes
Arrival Details
This Trojan may be downloaded by other malware/grayware/spyware from remote sites.
It may be unknowingly downloaded by a user while visiting malicious websites.
Installation
This Trojan drops a copy of itself in the following folders using different file names:
- %Application Data%\{Random Characters}
(Note: %Application Data% is the current user's Application Data folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name}\AppData\Roaming on Windows Vista and 7.)
It drops the following non-malicious files:
- %User Profile%\Start Menu\Programs\Security Tool.lnk
- %User Profile%\Desktop\Security Tool.lnk
(Note: %User Profile% is the current user's profile folder, which is usually C:\Documents and Settings\{user name} on Windows 2000, XP, and Server 2003, or C:\Users\{user name} on Windows Vista and 7.)
Autostart Technique
This Trojan adds the following registry entries to enable its automatic execution at every system startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows\
CurrentVersion\Run
{Malware File Name} = %Application Data%\{Malware file name}\{Malware file name}.exe
Other System Modifications
This Trojan adds the following registry keys as part of its installation routine:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\{Malware File Name}
(Default) =
Rogue Antivirus Routine
This Trojan displays fake alerts that warn users of infection. It also displays fake scanning results of the affected system. It then asks for users to purchase it once scanning is completed. If users decide to purchase the rogue product, users are directed to a certain website asking for sensitive information, such as credit card numbers.
SOLUTION
8.900
Step 1
Before doing any scans, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users must disable System Restore to allow full scanning of their computers.
Step 2
Terminate a process file/s detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.RTQ
*Note: If the detected file/s is/are not displayed in theWindows Task Manager, continue doing the next steps.
Step 3
Delete this registry key
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
- {Malware File Name}
- {Malware File Name}
Step 4
Delete this registry value
Important: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to irreversible system malfunction. Please do this step only if you know how or you can ask assistance from your system administrator. Else, check this Microsoft article first before modifying your computer's registry.
- In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- {Malware File Name} = %Application Data%\{Malware File Name}\{Malware File Name}.exe
- {Malware File Name} = %Application Data%\{Malware File Name}\{Malware File Name}.exe
Step 5
Scan your computer with your Trend Micro product to delete files detected as TROJ_FAKEAV.RTQ. If the detected files have already been cleaned, deleted, or quarantined by your Trend Micro product, no further step is required. You may opt to simply delete the quarantined files. Please check this Knowledge Base page for more information.
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